This episode of Washoe Life features Mike Wilden, longtime Nevada health and human services leader, as he shares the fascinating history of the Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services campus. From its opening in 1882 as the Nevada Insane Asylum to its evolution into modern mental health and disability services, Mike reflects on the people, policies, and stories that shaped this landmark institution. 

In this episode of Washoe Life, we welcome Rick Edwards, the new Fire Chief of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Chief Edwards comes to Washoe County after more than two decades with the Stockton Fire Department in California, where he rose through every rank to become Fire Chief. 

He shares his leadership journey, lessons learned from California’s wildfire seasons, and his vision for fire prevention and preparedness in our region. Listeners will also get to know him personally — from his family’s move to Nevada to his excitement about exploring our community, including which mountain he plans to ski first. 

When crime happens, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division steps in to uncover the truth hidden in the evidence. In this episode of Washoe Life, we sit down with Division Director Steven Johnson and Supervising Criminalist Dr. Lisa Smyth-Roam for a behind-the-scenes look at the county’s crime lab. From separating TV drama from reality, to the evolving role of DNA and forensic technology in solving cold cases, learn how science and teamwork bring justice to our community. Johnson and Smyth-Roam also share surprising stories from the lab, clear up common misconceptions, and highlight the vital role of forensic experts in Washoe County and beyond. 

Explore the awe-inspiring Fly Ranch: 3,800 acres of hot springs, wetlands, and desert beauty just north of the Black Rock Desert. Hear from Burning Man Project’s Marnee Benson and Fly Ranch General Manager Zac Cirivello as they share the story behind this unique landscape, the values guiding its care, and how community, art, and ecology are shaping its future. 

Hot August Nights isn’t just an event, it’s a 10-day celebration of nostalgia, community, and classic car culture that draws more than 500,000 people to Northern Nevada each year. In this episode, Executive Director Deny Dotson shares how his decade in Virginia City tourism prepared him to steer one of the nation’s most iconic car shows. From the behind-the-scenes logistics and $100 million economic impact to preserving automotive history while appealing to new generations, Deny gives us a front-row seat to what makes Hot August Nights an unforgettable experience. 

In this episode, we take a nostalgic trip under the Big Top with Phil Campbell, a gifted musician whose early career took him on the road with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. For a decade, Phil played trumpet and piano for “The Greatest Show on Earth,” performing live alongside acrobats, clowns, and exotic animals in arenas across the country. 

Known for his ability to recreate music after hearing it once, Phil shares what it was like to live, travel, and perform with one of America’s most iconic entertainment institutions — and reflects on how the circus shaped his life, his music, and his memories. 

So step right up and enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at circus life, through the eyes, and ears of someone who lived it. 

The 152nd Airlift Wing – the High Rollers – is a special division within the Nevada Air National Guard that can fight fires as well as it fights enemies. Lt. Col. David McNally has been flying his whole adult life, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of defending his country from the cockpit of a C-130. We sit down with McNally and Capt. Emerson Marcus to learn about the rich history of the Air Guard right here in Reno.  

Scott Oxarart has become an advocate and ambassador for a disease he didn’t even know existed just a few years ago. Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) affected his dad quickly – just as it did to the most famous face of this disease, Bruce Willis – and gave Scott and his family a crash-course in understanding this aggressive type of dementia.  Scott shares the signs to watch for and how to help a loved one who might be battling this disease.  

For the first time in many years, Washoe County has opened a new recreation site, and Trails Coordinator Christina Thayer explains how and why a new recreation site comes to be. Join us on the banks of the Truckee River for a first look at the new Riverbend Trailhead, a brand-new access point to the river and portage area for rafters. 

The Washoe County Senior Center has been a cornerstone of our community since 1978—and now, it’s getting a much-needed refresh. In the latest Washoe Life podcast, we take you inside the $2.8 million renovation that’s transforming this vital space. Hear from Washoe County Human Services leaders about what’s changing, why it matters, and how it supports the seniors who rely on it every day. 

Listen now to learn how Washoe County is building a stronger, more connected community—one upgrade at a time.